The New Mexico Senate passed legislation Monday to establish new procedures and protections for health care providers that are accused of fraud or overbilling. Senate Bill 217 will ensure that health care providers accused of fraud get the chance to review the allegations made against them in an administrative hearing, before action is taken against them. - - 2/28/2017

New Mexico could save $100 million a year in prescription drug costs by requiring all state agencies and benefit providers to negotiate for bulk purchasing discounts, according to Dr. Martin Hickey, CEO of New Mexico Health Connections. Hickey was speaking last week in favor of Senate Bill 354, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Steinborn and Rep. Joanne Ferrary, both D-Las Cruces that would create a new pharmaceuticals purchasing council to develop cost-cutting strategies for drug purchases. The council would be part of the General Services Department, and would include members from 11 state agencies and entities. - - 2/28/2017